Expert: Paula Damgaard - 12/27/2009

Question
Hi
My mom has alzheimers and is staying with us for the winter and I am trying to understand the disease.  I've been doing alot of reading on it and am trying to find out if muscle twitching and jerking is a symptom as my mom has been sick a couple of times since she came and since then she has been having these symptoms of twitching/jerking  that just happen out of the blue throughout the day.
Thank you so much  

Answer
Hi Louise,

They could be part of the disease.  But I would make sure that she is fully recovered from whatever she was sick with before I would blame it on disease.  

Alzheimer's affects the entire brain, so as it marches through and destroys the nerve endings it is quite common for them to develop twitches and jerking, many times they develop seizures.  You might mention this to her doctor especially if it bothers her, she may benefit from an antiseizure medication, tho I would recommend going lightly with them.  

Paula